One Icon, One Detail: Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and the Tie Worn as a Belt

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was the sartorial swami of the Twentieth Century. The famed actor spent his career swashbuckling across the silver screen and into the record books as one of the world's best-dressed men. And while most of his peers fell comfortably into the refined yet sedate style of Hollywood's golden era, he was busy pushing the envelope with his brash choices.

Like all legendary dandies, Fairbanks Jr.'s forward-thinking look is hardly for the faint of heart, even today — as this shot from Venice in 1958 shows. Even well into his fifties, he still reigned as one of Hollywood's true originators, and he certainly looked the part. With his tucked-in long-sleeve polo, tapered trousers, and brilliant white loafers, he fits right in with the Italian locals. What elevates this look from noteworthy to iconic, though, is that finishing touch: the tie worn as a belt. It's the sort of devil-may-care detail that encapsulates Fairbanks Jr.'s style, showing that the man truly could pull off anything.

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Of course, it's not a look for everyone, but it's a great way to turn a simple outfit into a classic. So, if you're feeling up for it, skip the staid leather belt, toss on a striped knit instead, and channel your inner silver-screen swashbuckler.

Jake Gallagher is a writer living in Manhattan. He writes the blog Wax Wane.